Diet, exercise can help manage gestational diabetes

It can be managed by diet and exercise alone. If the blood sugar control is not adequate then it will be treated by insulin or tablets or both. Normal delivery is possible in such cases, if she has good blood sugar control and the baby is not big. If the blood sugar control is good, she will be allowed to wait till her expected date for a spontaneous onset of labour. If blood sugar control is not good, she might need an induction of labour 1-2 weeks before the expected date. Most of the gestational diabetes becomes normal after delivery. She will undergo GTT weeks to three months after delivery. If it is normal, she will be advised to check her blood sugar every year. She will be advised a healthy lifestyle (diet and exercise) to reduce her chance of having diabetes later in life. Dr. Premalatha Balachandran, Consultant Obstetrician & Gynaecologist

Lupus also known as Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), is an inflammatory disease caused when the body’s immunity attacks its own tissues. Lupus affects more women than men (9:1). Some of the common symptoms are rashes on the face and bridge of the nose (resembling a butterfly), ulcers in the mouth, loss of hair, oedema, excessive fatigue, joint pain, apart from diminished urine output. When diagnosed early, it can be controlled and patients can lead a fruitful life. It is a very serious illness and it affects children as well, but the worst affected are women in the reproductive age group. The campaign we have been conducting for a few years has been addressing signs and symptoms to educate general public, patients and doctors. Since a number of organs are involved, doctors need to refer them to specialists for timely treatment. We will also be conducting screening camps for diagnosing lupus. While the exact prevalence rate is unknown, it is estimated at least a million new cases are detected annually.Dr S Rajeswari, Director, Institute of Rheumatology, RGGGH